Differential diagnosis of isolated calf muscle vein thrombosis and gastrocnemius hematoma by high-frequency ultrasound / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Differential diagnosis of isolated calf muscle vein thrombosis (ICMVT) and gastrocnemius hematoma is essential for early identification of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of high-frequency color Doppler ultrasound for differential diagnosis of ICMVT and gastrocnemius hematoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective case series of 35 ICMVT (M:F, 21:14; mean age (64.5 ± 10.6) years) and 23 gastrocnemius hematoma (M:F, 16:7; mean age (75.4 ± 11.8) years) patients with bilateral/unilateral lower limb pain was conducted between January 2006 and September 2012. Characteristics and the morphology of high-frequency color Doppler ultrasonography of the lower limb deep vein, great saphenous vein, calf muscles, skin, and soft tissue were examined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>ICMVT hypoechoic signals were characterized by long, tube-like masses on longitudinal sections and oval masses on transverse sections, with apparent muscle thrombosis boundaries, distal and proximal venous connections, and, often, lower limb DVT. Gastrocnemius hematoma hypoechoic signals were characterized by large volumes, enhanced posterior hematoma echo, hyperechoic muscle boundaries, no hematoma blood flow, and no DVT, and clear differences in trauma/exercise- and oral anticoagulant-induced hematomas were readily apparent. According to the measurement, the ratio of long diameter/transverse diameter (D/T) in ICMVT patients was about less than 2.0, whereas in gastrocnemius hematoma patients the ratio was more than 2.0. Early stage isoechoic and hypoechoic signals were detected with gradually increasing ovular anechoic areas. Partial muscle fibers in the hematoma due to muscle fractures were apparent.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High-frequency color Doppler ultrasound was found to be a sensitive and reliable method for differential diagnosis of ICMVT and gastrocnemius hematoma due to trauma and exercise or prolonged oral anticoagulant use.</p>

Use of direct portal vein puncture portography with modified TIPS treatment in patients with portal hypertension and gastro-esophageal varices bleeding / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore a better procedure for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in order to improve its safety and to extend its indications.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>To puncture the right portal branch under sonographic guidance in 20 patients with portal hypertension and gastro-esophageal bleeding. The Teflon sheath with gold marker was put into the portal vein; anterior and lateral portography was made, portal pressure was measured and the gastric coronal vein was embolized. The gold marker was put into the portal vein puncture site and the Rups-100 was guided under the gold marker during the TIPS puncture procedure. Anterior and lateral portography was again made to make sure the puncture site was 2 cm away from the portal vein bifurcation. In some cases a 10F sheath was used to suck the thrombosis in the portal vein, and a balloon was used to dilate the parenchyma channel and then a stent was released smoothly.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>20 reformed TIPS were successfully performed on all patients and their gastric-esophageal bleedings were controlled immediately. 37 punctures were made in 20 of those cases; the average puncture per patient was 1.85+/-0.67, lower than that of the traditional method. The pressure of the portal vein declined from (30.5+/-1.1) mmHg to (16.9+/-0.9) mmHg, P < 0.05, showing that the difference of portal vein pressure before and after the reformed TIPS was significant. 25 stents were placed, and no complications occurred during the procedure in any of the cases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Direct portal vein puncture portography and gold marker guided TIPS procedure is feasible and safe; the indications of TIPS could be further extended.</p>